Scones

By Lorena_321

Ingredients

• Topping:
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 t salt
• 1 T baking powder
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 1 cup to 2 cups chopped dried fruit, chocolate chips or other flavored chips
• 2 large eggs
• 2 t vanilla extract or other flavoring of your choice
• 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup half-and-half or milk
• 2 t milk
• 2 T sparkling white sugar or cinnamon sugar

Preparation

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
Work in the butter just intil the mixture is unevenly cumbly; it's ok for some larger chunks of butter to remain unincorporated.
Stir in the fruit, chips and/or nuts, if you're using them.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla or other flavor, and half-and-half or milk.
Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until all is moistened and holds together.
Line a baking sheet with parchment; if you don't have parchment just use it without greasing it. Sprinkle a bit of flour atop the parchment or pan.
Scrape the dough onto the floured parchment or pan and divide it in half. Round each half into a 6" circle. The circles should be about 3/4" thick.
Brush each circle with milk and sprinkle with coarse white sparkling sugar or cinnamon sugar, if desired.
Using a knife or bench knife that you've run under cold water, slice each circle into 6 wedges.
Carefully pull the wedges away from the center to separate them just a bit; there should be 1/2" space between them at their outer edges.
For best texture and highest rise, place the pan of scones in the freezer for 30 minutes, uncovered. While the scones are chilling, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Bake the scones for 20 to 25 minutes or until they're golden brown. When you pull one away from the others, it should look baked all the way through; the edge shouldn't look wet or unbaked.
Remove the scones from the oven and cool briefly on the pan. Serve warm.